Pilot ID card scheme to launch

The Minister for Home Affairs, Deputy Helen Miles, has confirmed her intention to launch a pilot scheme, which will allow French national day trip visitors arriving on commercial passenger ferries, to enter Jersey using their national ID cards. 

Following Brexit, it has been a requirement for EU nationals to show a passport to enter Jersey (or the UK) when visiting from outside the Common Travel Area. The current process has proven difficult for many French nationals, who may not possess passports and instead rely on ID cards. This has led to a significant decline in the day trip traffic to the Island. 

Arrangements will be made to make sure robust measures are in place to ensure the security of the border is maintained. The aim is to have the scheme in place for the summer season this year. 

Deputy Helen Miles said. “We are grateful to our partners in the UK and in Normandy for their help and engagement, and to the Minister for External Relations and his department for their support. It is important that we are all working together to enable French residents to visit our beautiful Island and give them the flexibility they need to do so. Jersey has a longstanding history and cultural links with France and my aim is to make sure we create opportunities for this to continue”. 

Deputy Kirsten Morel, Minister for Economic Development said: “I’d like to congratulate the Minister for Home Affairs and her team for their work in delivering this scheme. This offers a great opportunity to improve our connectivity to France and provide a boost to our local hospitality and retail sectors by making it easier for French day trippers wanting to visit Jersey”